Summary

Forum Europe would like to thank all the people and organisations involved in this year's event for all their support.

A copy of the post-conference report is now available. To download the report please select the link in the 'Downloads' section on the right-hand side of this page. For further information please contact the event manager Tom Chinnock on +44 2920 783 025.

The Internet of Things, the principle of connected devices and objects that are uniquely identifiable, is increasingly becoming a reality, with related technologies rapidly finding their way into everyday life. In order to achieve a single market for IoT and maximize the advantages that a safe and advanced IoT would bring, policymakers, citizens and industry need to continue to collaborate together.

Keynote video presentation by Vice President Kroes at this year's conference

Further information

The 4th Annual Internet of Things Europe explored the co-existence of real and virtual worlds in everyday life within areas such as health, transport and retail. The event facilitated debate among stakeholders on how both the public and private sectors need to work together to create an environment for increased innovation, investment and economic growth. The event also explored other emerging key issues, including, privacy & security, ethics, technological developments, international cooperation and the various resources that are required for a fully integrated IoT.

The event also addressed the current debate surrounding the need for separate data protection legislation for the Internet of Things. Delegates explored whether the proposed reform of the Commission's Data Protection Regulations and the single “future-proof” set of rules will be able to keep up with the rapid growth of IoT technology and innovation or whether there is a need for a separate data protection legislative plan for IoT.

The event also came at a time when the results from the Commission's public consultation will soon be available and therefore provided an opportunity for industry players to share their views regarding this and to help shape the forthcoming recommendation on IoT Governance in 2013.

Sessions at the conference included:

• Developing a 'future-proof' policy model for the governance and management of the Internet of Things• Political, Economical and Societal benefits and challenges of the Internet of Things • “IoT mobile devices” in the 4G era • Spectrum Management and IoT • Ad hoc citizen applications and Architecture• Governance, Standards and Reliability• Ethics and the Internet of Things• Business Models• Ensuring the protection of users• Security for devices• Financing the Internet of Things

For further information about any aspect of this year's conference, or for next year's annual event, please contact Tom Chinnock on +44 2920 783 025 / tom.chinnock@forum-europe.com